Northside students celebrate Arbor Day

The third-graders at Northside Elementary School have some digging to do this weekend.

On Friday, Kathryn Miller, education chairperson with the Alliance Shade Tree Commission, gave a presentation on the importance of trees to the third-grade class.

"Trees make places look much prettier," Miller said.

The Alliance Shade Tree Commission has been running the Arbor Day education program for 10 years. In addition, Barrie Kridler of Kridler Gardens donates a tree to each elementary school every year. This year, each school got a Sunburst locust tree.

During the presentation, Miller talked with students about all the things trees provide. Students told her trees provide oxygen. Some trees provide food, such as apples and pears. Paper comes from trees as well.

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Miller went over a few other goods people get from trees.

"We get coffee beans from trees. We get tea leaves for tea," she said. "We also get rubber from trees."

Tamra Jackson, 9, said she was surprised to learn that trees clean water.

"When it rains, the water goes through the roots, and the roots clean it," Tamra said.

Miller also went over the steps to properly plant a tree.

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The students each received a pitch pine seedling to plant at home. The seedlings were donated by George and Shirley Weimer.

Before any other steps are taken, Miller said, students had to get permission from their parents and guardians.

Next, one has to pick a location for the tree.

"You have to go out, look around and pick a good spot," she said.

Miller told students to pick a sunny spot with a lot of room. The location should be away from any other trees or structures and out of the way of telephone poles.

The students were told to then dig a hole big enough for the roots to spread out. Miller said to shake out the roots before putting the plant in the ground.

When covering the roots, she said, the dirt should be packed lightly. Then the plant must be watered if it doesn't rain often.

Alizea McMasters, 10, said she had already had some experience with planting trees.

"I planted a tree when I was 5," Alizea said. "It was a maple tree."

Tamra and Brooklyn Grove, 9, have also planted trees before.

Brooklyn said she helped plant a birch tree when she was just a baby, and it's still only about 2 feet tall.

Tamra wasn't sure about the name of the tree she planted, but it is the one with the "helicopter leaves."

Tamra, Alizea and Brooklyn all believe trees are best used for climbing.